Employment opportunities for the Registered Nurse include positions in the following:

Hospitals

Nursing Homes

Health Departments

Physicians’ Offices

School Systems

Clinics

Industries

Civil Service

Hospice agencies

Day care centers

Home health care agencies

Entrepreneurial opportunities

Admission Requirements:

(Must be met by February 15--if the class does not fill in February, there may be a second round of admissions in June)

High school diploma or equivalent;

In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Nursing program requires competency in English and Math Essentials MTE 1-4 as demonstrated through the placement and diagnostic tests, or by satisfactorily completing the required MTE units or equivalent.;

One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If you do not meet the high school prerequisites, you may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses. The high school requirements may be waived if Biology 141 and 142 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II) are completed with a grade of “C” or better;

Score at or above the 45th percentile rank on the ATI/TEAS, as mandated by the VCCS. Equivalent scores for the NET, or NLN nursing preadmission tests will be considered if taken within three years. Students have three opportunities to obtain a satisfactory score and must wait 90 days before retesting;

A 2.5 average for high school courses or a 2.5 cumulative average for all college coursework.

**Curricular GPA may be considered if the cumulative GPA is less than 2.5

**If the student has completed a minimum of 12 college credits that are included in calculating the college GPA (non-developmental courses), the 2.5 high school GPA requirement will be waived.

In the event there are more applicants who apply in a given year than there are slots available the college will employ selective admission. Please consult the Health Professions Admission Packet for a detailed description of the selective criteria, readmission, and LPN transition information. The packet is available through the Admissions Office.

Advanced Placement:

The licensed practical nurse (LPN) may receive credit for the first-year nursing courses and enter into the second year of the program providing the following requirements are met:

High school diploma or equivalent

Satisfactory scores in English and math placement tests or completion of MTE units 1-4 and developmental English at WCC or equivalent college course work

One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If you do not meet the high school prerequisites, you may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses.

A cumulative or curricular GPA of 2.5.

Score at or above the national 45th percentile rank on the ATI LPN STEP Test Scores are good for three years. Students are allowed three attempts at least 90 days apart.

Submission of transcripts of the School of Practical Nursing.

Submission of copy of current unencumbered valid LPN license. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.

Successful completion of BIO 141 and 142(Anatomy & Physiology I & II), and 80% of the general education classes to be considered for admission to NUR 115 LPN Transition.

If more students who meet the above admission requirements apply for admission than there are positions available, students who have completed all co-requisite course work and NUR 226 (Health Assessment) will be considered first. Students who have completed all co-requisite course work will be considered second and then students will be ranked using criteria such as GPA, ATI LPN STEP Test score, clinical experience, and number of college courses completed.

Upon successful completion of NUR 115 LPN Transition the student may enter the second year of the nursing program – NUR 195 Topics in Geriatrics and NUR 190 Coord. Internship-Nursing III.

The licensed practical nurse who chooses to enter as a freshman nursing student and who is not successful in NUR 106 Nursing Principles and Health Assessment or NUR 218 Integrated Concepts may not apply to be admitted to NUR 115 LPN Transition.

The LPN will be afforded one opportunity to complete NUR 115 LPN Transition. If unsuccessful, the student may request admission to NUR 106 Nursing Principles and Health Assessment.

If the LPN does not have an unencumbered, valid LPN license by the beginning of fall semester, he/she may not continue in the sequence. The student, however, may request admission into the generic tract of the nursing program. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.

The LPN student must enter the second level nursing classes within three months of successful completion of NUR 115 LPN Transition.

The following is a list of technical abilities and skills applicants for admission should possess:

Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient

Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds

Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form

Mobility: Sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces

All applicants should be advised that the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations (54.1-3007) state the following:

Regarding refusal, revocation, or suspension, censure or probation. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license or certificate to any applicant and may suspend any license or certificate for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or certificate holder or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;

Unprofessional conduct;

Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;

Conviction or any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public; Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;

The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license or certificate to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or

Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.

Any student receiving a final grade lower than a “C” in any course in the NUR prefix, BIO 141-142 will be ineligible to continue in the program and will need to contact the program head for readmission requirements.

The following list is a suggested sequence in which students may plan their class schedules to ensure graduation in two years.

Five-Year NCLEX-RN Pass Rate for First-Time Test Takers:

The Nursing Program curriculum is subject to change due to state and accreditation requirements. See program head for current requirements.

Progression Through the Program:

Selected learning experiences will be provided in various health agencies. These include hospitals, extended care facilities, clinics, community health agencies, and health departments. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the college and the agencies utilized for clinical experiences.

A grade of “C” in all Nursing courses, as well as BIO 141-142, is necessary to progress through the program.

A “Satisfactory” on all critical clinical objectives is required prior to progression to the next course. See Clinical Incompetence policy.

A current clinical eligibility form must be submitted prior to the dead established for the next semester.

Clinical facilities may necessitate additional requirements.

Readmission Requirements:

As stated above, a student receiving a final grade lower than “C” or a “W” in any course in the Nursing sequence or in BIO 141-142 will be ineligible to continue in the Nursing program. Contact the program head for readmission requirements.